20 CFR § 416.911 - Definition of disabling impairment.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t20/s416.911"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "20 CFR § 416.911 - Definition of disabling impairment."
title_number: 20
title_name: "Employees' Benefits"
section_number: "416.911"
section_name: "Definition of disabling impairment."
chapter_name: "SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION"
part_number: "416"
part_name: "SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME FOR THE AGED, BLIND, AND DISABLED"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
cfr_part: "416"
---


# 416.911 Definition of disabling impairment.

(a) If you are an adult:

(1) A disabling impairment is an impairment (or combination of impairments) which, of itself, is so severe that it meets or equals a set of criteria in the Listing of Impairments in appendix 1 of subpart P of part 404 of this chapter or which, when considered with your age, education and work experience, would result in a finding that you are disabled under § 416.994, unless the disability redetermination rules in § 416.987(b) apply to you.

(2) If the disability redetermination rules in § 416.987 apply to you, a disabling impairment is an impairment or combination of impairments that meets the requirements in §§ 416.920 (c) through (f).

(b) If you are a child, a disabling impairment is an impairment (or combination of impairments) that causes marked and severe functional limitations. This means that the impairment or combination of impairments:

(1) Must meet, medically equal, or functionally equal the listings, or

(2) Would result in a finding that you are disabled under § 416.994a.

(c) In determining whether you have a disabling impairment, earnings are not considered.

[62 FR 6421, Feb. 11, 1997, as amended at 65 FR 54777, Sept. 11, 2000]